Our favorite fitness ball workouts: we tested eight exercise videos that tone your body with a ball. Here are our four favorites - Fitness - Brief Article

Natural Health, April, 2003

FITNESS BALL WORKOUTS SCULPT and stretch your muscles and improve your balance. The clear instructions on these four beginner-level routines earned our praise. If you don't own a ball, you can buy one for $20 to $45 at most sporting goods stores.

1. Living Arts BalanceBall Fitness Beginner's Workout

We like that this 45-minute video targets different body pans. But you need to be able to stand about eight feet back from your television to execute the exercises. The video comes with a ball and an air pump and costs $40; 877-989-6311; www.gaiam.com.

2. Paul Chek's Swiss Ball Exercises for Better Abs, Buns & Backs

Instructor Paul Chek spends the first 30 minutes of the workout explaining the proper form for each move. As you get more proficient, you can skip straight to the second part, where Chek demonstrates several difficulty levels for each exercise, which allows you to personalize the routine. The video costs $20.95; 800-348-8371; www.fitter1.com.

3. Yoga Zone Pilates Mat & Ball Workout

This 105-minute DVD features three complete workouts. We liked the precise abdominal-toning exercises of the Body Sculpt routine best. The moves don't require a lot of coordination, nor are they strenuous. But we still felt sore the next day. The DVD costs $39; 800-264-9642; www.yogazone.com.

4. Yoga on the Ball: An Introduction

This 45-minute routine offers yoga-inspired exercises that tone all parts of your body. The relaxation suggestions that instructor Linda Rado weaves into the workout are especially soothing after a stressful day at work. In addition to a ball you'll need a yoga mat and balancing block (you can buy both at many sporting goods stores). The video costs $14.95; 800-473-4888; www.huggermugger.com.